The Canadian American Challenge Cup's (Can-Am) relatively open rulebook allowed for a wide variety of means to the same end. By 1970 convention was to strap a massive engine in a car that was as large as permitted to allow for maximum downforce. Shadow's Don Nichols had a different idea and conceived a small car, equipped with tiny tyres to minimise the frontal area. For many practical reasons, this did not work out all that well but Nichols refused to entirely let go of his idea. The result was the Shadow Mk II Chevrolet, which was designed by Peter Bryant. More conventional than the original Shadow, it still featured relatively small tyres. The concessions made did add competitiveness and for 1972 the low drag idea was abandoned altogether. Although using the same tub design, the Mk III Shadow almost followed the norm. It was blisteringly quick but like all other Chevrolet-powered machines struggled against the turbo-charged Porsches. Until very recently, only two complete examples of the Bryant designed Shadows existed and both in Mk III specification. This changed when our feature car was built up around the third tub, which was acquired by the owner from Nichols directly in 2009. He chose to restore it to Mk II specification, making it the only one of its type in existence. Much to our delight, it participated in the recent Monterey Motorsports Reunion, and we used the opportunity to shoot every detail of this rare Can-Am racer.
This week Mazda announced that the RX-8 production run will terminate in the Summer of 2012. To mark the end of the model, the company has announced the Japan-only Spirit R. Available as a manual or automatic, only 1,000 of the limited model will be produced. With the RX-8, production of the rotary engine will also cease, although Mazda is adamant that development on the engine will continue. It is nevertheless sad news, especially in the year that Mazda celebrated the 20th anniversary of the rotary-engined 787B's victory in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Enjoy the links:

2011 - 2012 Mazda RX-8 Spirit R - Images, Specifications and Information

1972 Shadow Mk III Chevrolet Turbo - Images, Specifications and Information

1971 Shadow Mk II Chevrolet - Images, Specifications and Information